From the moment we brought home our daughter from the hospital, babywearing has been an integral part of our parenting routine. Amelia was only a few days old when I first tried out the Solly wrap, a carrier I ended up absolutely loving for my little one. Over the last two years, I’ve added a few other carriers to our home and though yes they generally all do the same thing (aka hold your baby) there are differences that may sway you when deciding which one to purchase.
Here are the six carriers that I own and love for different reasons. I hope this review will help you decide which carrier is right for you! 🙂
First up is my overall fave:
The Solly Wrap
This wrap is absolutely perfect for the first few months of life. It keeps your little ones so snuggled up and close and it’s lightweight and easy to travel with. The biggest negative is that it’s a bit tricky at first when figuring out how to put it on and put your baby in but after a few practice sessions you’ll be a pro I promise. I honestly adore this wrap, I have so many fond memories of wearing my older daughter in this and am thrilled to be doing so again with my new baby. Another bonus is that its a woman-owned business and I happen to meet her at a conference and she is wonderful so I feel awesome knowing that my purchase directly supports this type of business.
Pro: Super affordable at only $65 it’s the best priced carrier out of all of these.
Con: A learning curve to learning how to use it. Must practice a bit to get comfortable.
Next is a new carrier I was recently introduced to that I absolutely LOVE.
Bobby ComfyFit Baby Carrier
I was recently lucky enough to receive one of these carriers and honestly I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s basically a wrap and soft structure hybrid. All the ease of use of a soft structure carrier with the lightweight benefits of a wrap. My husband who usually can’t lift his arms high enough to clip the backs of carriers can easily put this one on. I mean if a dude can put a carrier on without any help from you then I say that’s a good thing haha It’s also made of this soft material that feels almost like yoga pants and allows for easy bouncing of baby. (If anyone has ever had to rock a baby to sleep in a carrier you know the bounce I’m talking about!)
Pro: Really simple to put on and use and very affordable!
Con: Honestly can’t think of one. I think if you’ve never used a carrier before and you’re looking for one that’s super easy to use, this one is a great option.
Another huge favorite of mine recently with my newborn has been my Mezaya sling.
The Mezaya Sling
I purchased my sling when my older daughter was about 5 months old and loved it from the get-go. It was a little tricky at first to get it on correctly and put her in but again with practice I got comfortable pretty quickly. Biggest pro I think is that it’s super versatile. You can wear this from newborn all the way into the toddler years (I recently wore my toddler in the grocery store because she refused to walk and I didn’t feel like walking around lugging 30 pounds lol.) It’s super lightweight and great to throw in your diaper bag. I also love that this carrier just looks pretty fancy. I wore my newborn at a wedding recently and someone commented on how nice it looked. The pretty linen material and gold ring really make this a great option when you wanna feel dressy while babywearing. Another company that has some gorgeous slings is Sakura Bloom.
Pro: The lightweight linen material is PERFECT for hot weather. Also looks pretty enough to be worn even in more formal attire.
Con: A bit tricky to put on at first.
Ergobaby 360
This is a multifunctional carrier that will definitely go the distance. You can wear your baby in various positions from when they’re teeny tiny (with an infant insert) all the way to toddlerhood. This carrier is a favorite of my husband’s because it’s so utilitarian and can really be used in a variety of ways. It’s also quite sturdy and can easily be used for multiple children throughout the years. My one dislike about it is that it’s pretty bulky and quite thick so not ideal for the summer months (and also pretty big to carry around when on the go.) There is a version with mesh material that would provide more airflow so would be a better fit.
Pro: Can be used in many positions and super comfortable and easy to use.
Con: Made from really thick material so gets very warm in the summer months.
Lillebaby Complete Airflow Carrier
Out of all the carriers I own I probably use this one the least but I do think it’s another versatile option. My only gripe with it is that the seat seems to be super wide (a baby’s legs should be in the “M” position, with knees above the hips.) But in this carrier, it always felt almost too wide for me. You can adjust the seat but it was a bit difficult to move the material across the belt. I did like that it was made from a mesh-like material to provide airflow, but honestly in very warm weather this carrier would still get quite hot for mom and baby.
Pro: Can hold a weight of up to 45 pounds! (For reference, my 2.5 year old is 30 pounds so we can safely use this for several more years.)
Con: Felt too hot in warm weather. Bulky to carry around.
Sakura Bloom Onbuhimo
I purchased this carrier during one of Sakura Bloom’s sales thinking I’d wear my toddler on my back while I was pregnant. Well lo and behold, my stubborn little girl refused to go on my back (she always preferred being in the front) so I actually haven’t gotten a chance to use this yet! I am planning on wearing my younger daughter on my back as soon as she can sit unassisted (which is required for this carrier.) Designed for babies 15-35 pounds this is a traditional Japanese-style carrier that’s made to be worn high on the back and with nothing around your waist. I’m looking forward to testing it out! I still have hopes that my older daughter will give this a try (she’s only 30 pounds) but if not, I’ll also be able to wear my baby on both my back and in front.
If I had to buy only one item from Sakura Bloom it would be the Scout carrier. It combines a sling and a carrier into one super easy-to-use hybrid that’s lightweight but also understated and beautiful. I think I might be adding it to my collection. What can I say, these days I’m more into baby carriers than clothes or shoes so that’s my justification haha
So there you have it, my honest review of these six carriers. I think, it comes down to price point and ease of use. If you want to invest in only one, make sure it’s something that’s versatile and will grow with your baby and of course something that you love and know how to use! There’s no better feeling than having your baby close to you. But we all know that as much as we would love to sit around and cuddle our babies all day, we still have to get other things done. With a baby carrier, you’ll get the close bond with your child while also being free to do other things. And there’s nothing sweeter than a snoozing baby on your chest.
I hope this review helps, if you have any questions about any of these carriers please don’t hesitate to ask. Happy to help 🙂
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